Erik ten Hag has hinted that defender Lisandro Martinez could be deployed in midfield for Manchester United.
The 25-year-old is naturally a centre-back and has only been utilised in that position since signing for the Red Devils.
However, Martinez did make several appearances in defensive midfield for Ajax under Ten Hag, and the manager could turn to that option again should it be necessary in the second half of the campaign.
The Dutchman told MUTV: “He did it before [for Ajax]. This is also one thing that me as a manager, you have to be creative in certain situations when in other departments you have players who can’t be starting XI players, because I can only play one player in that position, maybe we can move the departments and be creative to form the team.”
United’s depth
United have cover for the Argentine if he was to make the move upfield in the form of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and now Luke Shaw to partner Raphael Varane in his absence.
The reason for the manager’s thinking is that currently, he has been left short with midfielders due to injuries; Christian Eriksen is the latest blow, and a huge one at that, as it was confirmed yesterday that he will miss around three months with an ankle injury. Scott McTominay is also currently recovering from an issue, whilst Donny van de Beek has been ruled out until the summer.
Ten Hag has, however, acquired the help of new signing Marcel Sabitzer, who has joined United on loan from Bayern Munich until June.
